Headlight



0 v. GREENE.

HEADLIGHT. APPLICATION HLED FEB. 12, 1917.

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0; v. GREENE. HEADLIGHT.

APPQICATION FILED FEB. !2) !917.

1,364,197. Patented Jan. 4,1921,

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Uscar HTT'OEM' n45 tam STAT OSCAR V. GREENE, .OF "CLEVELAND; OHIO.

HEADLIGHT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4,1921.

Application filed February 12, 1917. Serial No. 147,991.

To all whomitnmg concern:

I Be it known that I, OSCAR V. GREENE, acitizen .of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and use ful Improvements in Headlights, Of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish 7 it from Oth GIiIIYQIItIOIIS.

' The present improvements constitute in part the practical development of the headlight for vehicles and the like which forms a 'the subjcct matter' of my application filed July 15, 1916,

. position i of such lamp bulb itself,

Serial No. 109,515, and in part a modification -in the principle of construction of such head-light. The practical developments include,among other things, an improved mounting for the several reflector sections which constitute a feature of my previous construction, the provision of improved operating means for adjusting the of the movable portion of such reflector, the provision of an adjustable mounting for-the electric lamp bulb which forms the source of light, the construction to which attention will be more specifically directed in the course of the'detailed descriptiop which follows. The modifications in construction relate more especially to the relative disposition ofthe several reflector sections'with respect tothe light source, and

' other.

the angular relation of their axes to each These modifications WllhllkBWlSB be i set forth in detail in the followingdescription, and all the aforesaid features of improvement particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forthin detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disr2. closed means constitutlng, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Figure 1 1s a 'frontelevational view of the reflector proper witli ts mountlng and certain accessory parts, but without the inclos and other features disposition of the reflector sections; Fig. 6

is a view of an electric lamp bulb specially designed for use with my improved head -light; Fig. 7 illustrates in outline the forward portion of an automobile equipped Wlth my improved head-light, and shows more especially the operating means provided in connection therewith; Fig. 8 is a broken sectional view, on larger scale, of said operating means; Fig. 9 is a plan view of a portion of the same, the portion being indicated by the line 9-9, Fig. 8; while Figs. 10 and 11 are transverse sectional views of such portion taken on the planes indicated by the lines 10-10 and 11-11, Fig. 9, respectively.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, my improved head-light inv0lves no modification of the outer shell or casing 1, which is there shown as of the usual conical or basin-like shape, the open face of which is covered over with a glass shield (not shown) suitably attached to the edge 2 of the casing. The entire recured, so that the reflector in a lamp at present in use maybe readily replaced with my lmproved'reflector.

The frame 1n question comprises an approximately annular portion 3, which fits snugly within the open end of the casing 1, and is provided with three curved radial ribs, 4, 4 and 5, the first-two ofwhich lie in the same horizontal plane, while the third lies in a vertical plane above such horizontal plane. By means of these ribs, ,1 support lll'fiXed position two similar quarter segments 7 7 of a reflector of general parabolic form; Each of these sections is held in place by means of a screw. 8 at its innermost corner, while its lower edge rests on a ledge '9 on the corresponding horizontal rib 4;, and its front edge abuts against the back of the annular frame member 3, a set-screw or lug 10 serving as a slop to prevent it from buckling. A flat, slightly wedgeshaped member 11 adjustably secured to the vertical rib 5 a set screw 12, serves to simultaneously secureboth of the two reflector sections in question in close-fitting engagement with the near its forward end by means of v front annular frame member and with the respective horizontal ribs, the result being to insure the preservation of the proper curvature in these sections, which it will be understood are ordinarily made of relati ely light sheet-metal, highly polished on their aforesaid ears constitute trunnion bearings for such lower reflector-section frame, and define its axis of oscillation, will be hereinafter more fully explained.

For oscillating, lowe reflector-section frame 14 and holding it in desired positionabout its axis, 1 preferably utilize. a fiexible wlre 17, one end 'of which is attached to a lug 18 on the frame, while the other end is connected to an operatinglever 19 on the steering post of the automobile, or elsewhere, (Figs. 7 and. 8) as found most convenient, the intermediate portion of such wire being contained in a rigid tube 20, so that movement of the aforesaid lever will etlect a corresponding movement oil the re.- flector section. v

As a matter of fact there will ordinarily be two head-lights, each provided with a reflector of the sort just described, so that a branched Wire 17 will be necessary. of course desirable that the reflectors in such case should be operated synchronously and by the same operating lever 19. Accordingly, I provide the coupling; shown in detail 1n Figs. 9 to 11, inclusive, for connecting the one branch of such wire to the other at a point intermediate between the lever and lamp. This coupling consists simply of a's leeve 21,'in which the two branch wires from thereflectors are received along with the single main wire from the, operating lever, --and. there clamped [in adjusted endwise relation by means of set-screws 22 threaded in such sleeve. The ends of the tubes 20, through which the respective wires are carried, are clamped in opposite ends of a bracket v23, so as to leave a short section of each of, the several wires free to be adjusted within the coupling. i

For supporting the lamp-bulb 25, which constituted the main source of light, (the use of a supplementalsmaller lamp bulb 26 in a socket 27, therefor rovidedjin rib 5, being entirely optional), i provide, a holder 28 oftheform clearly illustrated in Figs.

1, 2 and 3. This holder is formedwith an I axial bore adapted to receive and hold the lamp socket 29., the latter-being held therein in longitudinally adjusted position by means of a setscrew- 30, and corresponding- 1y determining the longitudinal adjustment lt. is

' member.

reflector-section coincides wlth what maybe,

of the lain bulb, as will be readily understood. llo der 28 itself is attached to the lower portion of the vertical rib 5 of the fixed frame by means of ase escrew 31, passing through a slot in the holder, about which screw when loosened, said holder accordingly has a limited vertical, as well as an oscillatory movement, in a plane at right angles to the axis of the lamp. By virtue of this construction, the position of said lamp may be adjusted in three directions, in order to bring the filament. in the lamp accurately to its proper working position in relation to the reflector.

I In ordcrboth to steady the lamp bulb, and so securely hold it in such adjusted position, as well as to serve as a shield for certain ot' the direct rays emanating there from, a semi-circular plate '35 is supported in front of the upper portion of the lamp by means of an arm 36 attached to this same holder through the medium ofa set-screw 37. This plate is provided with a central aperture 38 ncarits lower edge that isadapted toengage the extreme tip or point always found on a lamp bulb, and so prevents any displacement of such bulb,as'

might occur it it were somewhat loose in the socket, at the same time reducing breakage of filament due to wabbling of. lamp.

Having thus described the principal mechanical features embodied in my improved head-light structure, the relative location slightly to the rear oi? the annular frame ln this position the axis of such termed the normal horizontal axis, line 0-41, Figs. 4. and 5), in which, as heretofore stated, the axis of the lamp, or more especially the filament of such lamp, lies.

The axis of oscillation of this lower reflector-section, as defined l yits trunnion-axis l. (see line 6-7), Fig. at) crosses the line of the. axis a-a, just described, at right-angles, and the lamp should be adjusted longitudhposition shown in dotted outline at the right in Fig. 5 will accordingly direct the concontra ted "beam of light reflected from this portibn of the lamp downwardly, but with undimini shed brilliancy, while the same is true-if such beam be directed-upwardly, by

tilting the section in question into the posifigure" in question,

" thereby causing tion illustrated, in dotted outline in the at'the left. 1

' The section is thus tilted downwardly when it is desired to avoid striking-an on} or pedestrian in the e es,

coming driver the dangerous glare e ect,

' while the'beam will be directed upwardly can-obviously distance by in approaching-a hill or steep-ascent which be only illuminatedfor a short a horizontallydirected beam.

The normal ;pSiti0n'of the reflector will, of

course, proyect a concentra'tmlvv horizontal beam, and will be used in driv ng or'dinary level roads for distanceseemg. ,5,

The two upper segmental sections 7v of the reflector, as previously indicated, are

- fixedly attached to the frame, but while portions ofa parabolic surface, preferably the same as-that of the lower section, these upper sections are mounted so as to lie with their axes (see'lines c -c, Fig. 4) inclined to the normal axis arr-a of the reflector hereinbefore referred to,;,and with their focal points or centers 41 displaced along such inclined axes a greater or smaller distance two upper reflector sections and of riety of constitutes a secondary light source,

from the.foca1 point or center 40 of the lower reflector section, with which, as pre-' cured from these upper'r'eflector sections.

Without producing any so-called glare whati that is the light will be dispersed and directed so as to evenly illuminate a moreever,

orless extended area immediately in front of the automobile and 'ofva width greater than the roadway, so as to admirably serve .the driver in noting irregularities or objects of danger close up to his machine.

Another source of glare I have found due to the construction of the lamp-bulb 42 itself, ployed in spherical, with the filament 43 located forwardly of the center of the sphere, as illustrated in Fig. 6. The interior oftlie bulb is a sufficient reflector to form in such case, a phantom image of the filament displaced distance from the center ln'the opan equal posite direction, and this phantom image which the reflector sections coo'pcratc difigs. 4 and 5. By

which, in the size most frequently emhead-lights of the sort in hand, is.

with

the main lightsource I have .that,

ferentl-y than with constituted by the filament proper. accordingly found by experiment,

- even where such' main reflector sections be adjusted as hereinbefore described to avoid any glare, a small beam of light is sometimes nevertheless received full in the eyes of a party approaching, this secondary source. This difficulty may be obviated, of course, by locating the filament accurately inthe center of the bulb, butv this is not ordinarily feasible for manufacturing reasons, and accordingly in such such light coming from case introduce a light-absorbing element at of any suitable material, such as dark coh ored asbestos or the like, which occupies the position where the hantom would be formed as illustrated in eliminates the latter.

Other modes of applying the-"principle of ig. 6, and so eff ctively my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the/mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims 'or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore. particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a lamp of the character described,

the combination with a light source-,of a reflector comprising sections of a parabolic surface, said sections being bodily displaced longitudinally and laterally to bring their respective focal points rearward and laterally with respect to said lightsections being also angularly disposed I to each other to cause'their respective axes to intersect infront of said light source;

2. In a lamp of the character described,

the combination with a light source, of v a re flector comprising sectlons of a parabolic surface, said sections belng bodlly displaced source, said longitudinally and laterally to bring their.

respective ally with respect to said light source, but symmetrically disposed relativelv to the same, said sections bein to each otherto cause t eir respectiye' axes to intersect ini front of said. light source.

3. A reflector comprising a plurality of focal points rearward and later-v angularly related sections of a parabolic surface having intersecting, a'ngul'arly related axes lying in an i approximately horizontal plane, said sec tions being respective focal points equal distances to bodily shiftecL to displace their the rear'of the point of intersection of their axes; and another section of a"'parabolic surface having its focal tions.

4. A reflector comprising a plurality of sections of a parabolic surface having intersecting, angularly related axes lying in an approximately horizontal plane, said sec-- tions being bodily shifted to displace their oint intermediate of the focal points of said first-named sec-- first-named sections.

respective focal points equal distances to therear of the point of intersection of their axes and another section ofa parabolic surface having its focal point intermediate of and to the front of 5. A reflector comprising a plurality of sections of a parabolic surface having-intersecting, angular-1y related axes lying in an approximately horizontal plane, said sections being-bodily shifted to displace their respective focal points equal distances to the axes; and another section of a parabolic surface havingits focal point intermediate of the focal points of said first-named sections, said last-named section being oscillatory about a I transverse axis passing through its focal point. i i

6. A reflector comprising tno'approximate quarter-sectionsof a parabolic surface having intersecting, angularly related axes lying in an approximately horizontal plane,

said sections being, bodily shifted to displace their respective focal points equal distances to the rear of-the' point of intersection of their axes; and an approximate half-section of the same parabolic surface having its focal point, intermediate of the focal points of said first-named sections.

7.111 a lamp of the character described, the combination with alight. source of a reflector comprising, sections of a parabolic surface, two of said sections being disposed with-their axes in fixed angular relation to each other and being bodily shifted longi tudinally of 'such'a'xes to displace their re 'spective focal points equal distances to the rear of the point ofintersection of their axes and thus symmetrically relative to theoriginal focalpoint of such surface, and the third section havingits focal point coincident With said light source; v I

8. In a lamp of the character described, the combination with alight source, of a reflector comprising sections of a parabolic surface,'tWo of said sections being disposed with converging angularly relatedaxes and a being so displaced as to cause the intersection 01 their axes andtheir respective focal points to beon opposite sides of saidlight the focal points of said source, and the third section of said reflector having its focal point coincident with said light source, said last-11amed section* L being oscillatory about a transverse axis. 5'5 9. In a lamp of the character described, the combination with a light source, ofa reflector comprising sections of a parabolic surface, two of said sections being disposed withconverging angularly related axes and being so displaced as to cause the intersec tion oftheir axes and their respective focal points to be on opposite sides of said light rear of the point of intersection of theirsource, and the third section of said reflector 4 having its focal point coincident with said light source, said last-named section; being oscillatory about a horizontal transverse axis passing through its focal point. i

'10. In a device of the character described,

the combination of an outer casing; a tWopart, rigid frame separate from said casing,

onepart of said frame being fixedly secured to said casing and the other part being connected to such first part so as to be oscil-" latory within said casing; and separate refiector sections attached to the respective parts of said frai .e 1 1 11. In a device 01. thecharacter described, the combination of a light source; two fixed reflector sections consisting of approximate 86 quarter'partsof a parabolic surface having their axes passing adjacent to said source at an angle to each other and to the'normal axis of the device and having their focal points displaced relatively to said source;

and another reflector-section oscillatory about a transverse axispassing through said source and having its-focal point approximatelycoincident with said source.

12. In a device of the character described, 90 the combination of a reflector, of 'a light source consisting of anin'candes'cent' electric lamp having; an approximately spherical bulb and a filament displaced from the cen terthe1'eof,- and alight-absorbi ig body supported in said bulb at the point Where phantom image of said filament would be formed.v .c

Signed by me, this 8th day of Febru-, ary, 1917. I r

. osoAn VQGREENEQ 

